Everyone knows, Iceland has incredible hot springs with gorgeous views. There’s ones we’ve all seen, there’s ones that aren’t as well heard of.

In this post, I’ll compare a few of the springs on the following factors:
- Price
- Accessibility
- Amenities

And of course, some other little need to know bits 💙

Iceland: Hot Springs

If you’re looking at visiting Iceland, and are sightly confused about which hot spring would suit you best, there’s a lot to take in.

Iceland is located over two tectonic plates (the land mass that basically makes our continents), half of it is North America, the other half is Europe.

Not only is this an absolute gorgeous ridge in the country, it means that there is a lot of volcanic activity. The water below the surface gets heated up, and thus, hot springs are born.

The hot springs are naturally heated, and are usually around 38 degrees. Perfectly good bikini weather.

So now, let’s take a look at some of them-

Arguably, one of the most famous hot springs in Iceland, home to the filming locations of many films, seen all across Instagram, you’ve heard of this one.

The cheapest option for Blue Lagoon starts at 8990 ISK, which converts to around £50. This option includes enterance, a mud mask, a towel, and a drink.

If you want to go pricier, for just under £500, you can use the Retreat Lagoon, (honestly, I’ve never done this).

For those not renting a car, consider some of the online tours, if you just want the Blue Lagoon, you can get transport and tickets included for about £140, but I would definitely shop around.

Blue Lagoon is in Grindavik and is about 50 minute a from Reykjavik. The majority of the journey is along Route 41, which is quite easily done.

For the non drivers, a bus route goes to Grindavikurafleggjari (55), which isn’t too expensive, but you will then need to take a taxi from here to Blue Lagoon. Bear in mind taxis can be quite costly.

Alternatively, take a look at the package deals that you can get which include transport.

Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous for a reason. Inside, you will find a bar, cafe, restaurant, multiple pools, complimentary lockers, and a gift shop.

I love Blue Lagoon, I’ve been several times, and it truly is a beautiful place.

Around the pools, there’s beautiful rocks and endless landscape surrounding. The picture above was taken just outside of Blue Lagoon.

Inside the complex, you get given a wristband that works as your lock to get in, out and your lockers.

There’s millions of cute photo spots, although be aware it can get crowded. Several buses can come at once, so if you’re after a quiet spring, it’s probably not the one unless you’re forking out the Retreat Spa access.

Another hard hitter, and relatively new to the game, Sky Lagoon is definitely not one to be overlooked. Sky Lagoon opened in 2021, but since then given its location, popularity is ever increasing.

Sky Lagoons prices are similar to those of Blue Lagoon, the Lite package starts at £40ish per person, and offers access to only the Lagoon.

If you want to experience “The Ritual” you’re looking at paying closer to £60 per person.

Okay, so Sky Lagoon isn’t too far from Reykjavik centre at all, perfect for those with a car, and perfect for those without.

It’s on the edge of Kopavogur, which is on the outskirts of the centre. The journey is probably going to take you less than 10 minutes, and a taxi less than £20.

Shout out to my non drivers, this is doable.

Sky Lagoon's main attraction is the beautiful infinity pool that is it's thermal bath. It has a stunning view, and I've even been lucky enough to see the northern lights from the edge of this pool!

The other selling point of the Sky Lagoon is the 'the Ritual', a seven step process of rejuvenation. Let me also say, the sauna is beautiful. 

We've also got lockers, towels, a bar and a cafe, everything for a perfect little day out.

One of my favourite hot springs I've visited. It's close enough to the centre that I can get there myself, and I feel like it's got the right amount of space that you don't feel too crowded almost.

When I visited, it was in the evening, and so I got to see the sun go down, and then was blessed and saw the northern lights over the water, truly magical.

My ticket included the seven step Ritual, and this was definitely an experience, let me try to remember it. You start by leaving the nice warm hot spring, and going into a very, very cold pool (not for the faint hearted), then I think we went went into a hot room, then potentially a kind of shower? We definitely rubbed like salt and oil on ourselves at one point, then maybe a steam room? In all honestly, I'd probably re-google this, I seem to remember a lot of hot then cold then repeat, but my skin did feel good after!

Hvammsvik Hot Springs is just outside of Reykjavik, but still not too far, and it's not just a hot spring. Should you wish, you can do different water activities there aswell! Definitely one for the more adventurous travellers.

This is very important, you have to pre-book. You cannot just arrive.

So, in the week, Hvammsvik is one of the cheaper big Lagoons, coming in at around £40 for the basic ticket. Now, in this ticket, you get unlimited use of all 8 pools, free paddleboards, lockers.

For abit extra, you can also join in with the Wim Hof Method, I am going to be honest, I have no idea what this is, I have never done it, it looks like yoga.

It's in a remote location, but it's not the furthest out of the centre.

For the non-drivers though, it is still going to set you back a fair bit if you don't book with a third party company, if you've not gathered yet, taxis are expensive, and there's not really a bus line that can save you here.

Hvammsvik is a nature resort as well as a hot spring, and so there are several other activities to do.

As I mentioned, there's 8 pools here, and some are close enough to the water that the ocean spills in depending on the tide.

They offer free paddle boards, have a bar and restaurant, have yoga classes, and Wim Hof method (you would not believe how many times it took me to type that correctly, we had Hom Wif, Wom Hif, Hif Wom etc), it's also an estate, so if you like to hike, this is the place.

And to top all that off, yes, it's an estate, so it comes with houses you can rent, with private hot springs, or private hot tubs. If you can afford this, you can probably visit the Retreat Lagoon as well, but I had a quick look for science, and the cheapest one is around 700 EUR per night.

I like Hvammsvik, it's really nice to sort of be in a place that is loved by locals and tourists alike. It's kind of a nice balance between sort of, showing the world what hot springs are like, but definitely taking a step back from that spot light and staying true to the Icelandic values of the hot springs.

If you like nature and mediation and sort of exploring the wilderness, this is absolutely the one for you.

Fontana Geothermal Baths or Laugarvtn Fontana holds a special place in my heart. A cosy spring in the region of the golden circle, it was the first hot springs that I ever visited.

Secret Lagoon is close to the Golden Circle, but slightly off of the mainly walked path. It’s close to the Geysir spot.

Krauma Spa is beautiful. Black marble tubs, and incredible views. The water for the thid hot spring originates from the most powerful hot springs in Europe and so is constantly being replaced.

Okay, so all the other hot springs listed here are mainly aimed at tourists. I’ve only ever visited one of them with an Icelandic person, and that was because his father gifted him a voucher.

At 473km away from Reykjavik, Myvatn Nature Baths is definitely slightly further away than the above. Set in the northern part of Iceland, it hosts milky blue pools similar to those of the blue lagoon, but with prices abit lower.

An adult ticket it around £40, so on the lower side of the previous hot springs. However, we are basing my comments as though we’re coming from Reykjavik.

Without a car, or a longer visit, this hot spring isn’t where you’re going to be looking it.

Drive, and not a short one. Myvatn might be beautiful, but it’s not one you’re realistically going to be visiting unless you find yourself in Northern Iceland anyway.

The drive from Reykjavik is about 6 hours, so even if you are willing to do this for just this place, you need an overnight stop.

As always, let’s try and look for the non drivers. So, the buses in Reykjavik and Greater Reykjavik are amazing, but once you start heading out, they’re sparce.

The most efficient way to get to Myvatn from Reykjavik without using a car would be to fly. Fly from RKV which is Reykjavik’s domestic airport to EGS, Eglisstadir, I’ve found flights for £70 one way. Then you’ll get a long bus that runs four times a week to Myavatn, and then a taxi to the baths.

Myvatn has a bathing pool, with beautiful milky blue waters that are a temperature of around 38 degrees.

Iceland: Hot Springs

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